Meet The First IAF Woman Fighter Pilot From Jammu & Kashmir

Hailing from the village of Lamberi, of Border Tehsil of Nowshera in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, 23-year-old Mawya Sudan has created history and become the first woman from Jammu and Kashmir to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a fighter pilot. She was recently commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter stream at the Air Force Academy at Dundigal, near Hyderabad, on Saturday, June 19. She has become the 12th woman officer to join the IAF.

For over one year she will have to undergo rigorous combat training before becoming a 'fully operational' fighter pilot and handle the intricacies of combat flying. Earlier, Flight Lieutenants Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawna Kanth and Mohana Singh had joined the fighter stream as flying officers in 2016 after basic training.

Vinod Sudan, Mawya's father, expressed his pride at his daughter's accomplishment. He said, 'I am feeling proud. Now she is not just our daughter but a daughter of this country. We have been receiving congratulatory messages since.'

Her sister, Manyata Sudan told ANI that Mawya has always been interested in the Air Force and aspired to be a fighter pilot since she was in elementary school. 'I am incredibly proud of my younger sister. This was her dream since childhood. I am sure she will add to her laurels soon. This is just the beginning. Everyone is treating her like their own daughter. People from all over the country are supporting and motivating her. It is an inspiring story for everyone,' she said.